Easter is recognized as a time of rebirth and renewal. The Christian celebration takes place on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. In 2010, the Vernal Equinox took place on March 20th. The full moon took place on March 29th. The first Sunday after the full moon is April 4th.
The original Easter took place at the end of the Hebrew celebration of the Passover. Early Christian churches often took over celebratory dates associated with other, older religions. Spring is a time of renewal in nature and the resurrection of Jesus Christ marks the ultimate renewal and rebirth for the Christian faith.
Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year 2010!!--and a look ahead with the Avatar movie
Happy New Year 2010!!
The "balls have dropped" (or the fireworks have gone up)--whatever way people celebrate the new year on January 1st, it's happened. There was lots of celebrating (according to the media photos on television from around the world).
One of the special things about this New Years is that we have a blue moon--the second full moon in a month (the month of December). This happens rarely and the next occurence at this time of year is projected for 2028.
People have already come forward with their prophecies of better times in 2010 for jobs, for the economy, and for many other areas.
I went to the Delnor Wellness Center this morning and, while there were fewer people than usual, many people were beginning their new year by doing something healthy--me, too, aqua pilates.
I've already needed to open new 2010 folders on my computer for eCommerce and for other activities and have set aside a new storage bin for 2010 receipts, along with putting up the 2010 calendars, all the traditional things needed for the first day of a new year.
An "old wives tale" I remember from childhood is to track the weather (highs, lows, clouds, sun, wind, etc) the first twelve days of the year--as indicators of what those months will be. While the temperatures will not be exact, a cold day on the sixth of January could mean a cooler month in June. Clouds and precipitation may also be good indicators except that July in my part of the world probably won't include any snow.
I saw the movie Avatar in 3D today. It's an amazing movie, heralded as a breakthrough in film-making that sets the stage for whole new experiences. The movie was amazing and reminded me of Star Wars, though it also has reminders of Medicine Man and Dances with Wolves. George Lucas' companies were involved in Avatar, along with many more creative people. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can only imagine what it would be like in 3D at an iMax movie theatre.
Many elements of the book reminded me of concepts I recently came across in a series of books by Robin Hobb, Forest Mage
, Shaman's Crossing
, and Renegade's Magic
. The attitudes of the warriors toward the forest people, called specks due to the unique markings on their skin, is similar of the attitudes of the terrans toward the natives of Pandora. The bonding of souls to the heart of the forest mother is also similar, especially in Renegade's Magic.
The force in Star Wars was throughout the universe and the mother force behind the tree of souls in Avatar is seen to be exclusively of the planet Pandora. Even so, the concepts capture the imagination.
What is interesting about Avatar is that the movie taps into many historical themes in our world culture and, while taking the polarities to extremes to show the drama, much of what is contained in the movie shows "how things work today" in many parts of the world (though not all of the technology). Even the technology depicted as fully functional in the movie has been heard of in our time. It will be amazing to see what influence Avatar may have on film-making, technology development, and human progress over the next decade.
Watching this movie was a great way to begin the new year.
The "balls have dropped" (or the fireworks have gone up)--whatever way people celebrate the new year on January 1st, it's happened. There was lots of celebrating (according to the media photos on television from around the world).
One of the special things about this New Years is that we have a blue moon--the second full moon in a month (the month of December). This happens rarely and the next occurence at this time of year is projected for 2028.
People have already come forward with their prophecies of better times in 2010 for jobs, for the economy, and for many other areas.
I went to the Delnor Wellness Center this morning and, while there were fewer people than usual, many people were beginning their new year by doing something healthy--me, too, aqua pilates.
I've already needed to open new 2010 folders on my computer for eCommerce and for other activities and have set aside a new storage bin for 2010 receipts, along with putting up the 2010 calendars, all the traditional things needed for the first day of a new year.
An "old wives tale" I remember from childhood is to track the weather (highs, lows, clouds, sun, wind, etc) the first twelve days of the year--as indicators of what those months will be. While the temperatures will not be exact, a cold day on the sixth of January could mean a cooler month in June. Clouds and precipitation may also be good indicators except that July in my part of the world probably won't include any snow.
I saw the movie Avatar in 3D today. It's an amazing movie, heralded as a breakthrough in film-making that sets the stage for whole new experiences. The movie was amazing and reminded me of Star Wars, though it also has reminders of Medicine Man and Dances with Wolves. George Lucas' companies were involved in Avatar, along with many more creative people. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can only imagine what it would be like in 3D at an iMax movie theatre.
Many elements of the book reminded me of concepts I recently came across in a series of books by Robin Hobb, Forest Mage
, Shaman's Crossing, and Renegade's Magic. The attitudes of the warriors toward the forest people, called specks due to the unique markings on their skin, is similar of the attitudes of the terrans toward the natives of Pandora. The bonding of souls to the heart of the forest mother is also similar, especially in Renegade's Magic. The force in Star Wars was throughout the universe and the mother force behind the tree of souls in Avatar is seen to be exclusively of the planet Pandora. Even so, the concepts capture the imagination.
What is interesting about Avatar is that the movie taps into many historical themes in our world culture and, while taking the polarities to extremes to show the drama, much of what is contained in the movie shows "how things work today" in many parts of the world (though not all of the technology). Even the technology depicted as fully functional in the movie has been heard of in our time. It will be amazing to see what influence Avatar may have on film-making, technology development, and human progress over the next decade.
Watching this movie was a great way to begin the new year.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!!
Christmas is an important tradition in my family, from the spiritual focus of the holy event celebrated by Christians around the world to the family traditions of gathering together in loving, piece, joy, and sharing.
Both Mom and Dad had important memories of Christmas in their family and we brought it into our family, too. As a child, I remember having Caroling parties at my home for my friends, the awe inspiring activities in the church, especially the midnight services, the Christmas tree, and, above all, the sense of togetherness and love.
Tied closely to the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas follows the longest night in the year. In cold climates, under clear conditions (different from what would have been experienced in Bethlehem at the actual birth of Jesus Christ) the stars appear closer to the earth and there is a stillness and peace that we can be aware of. It's cold outside and we appreciate the warmth of being together in front of a blazing fire in a hearth.
Our modern society seems to move at an ever increasing pace, with Internet and social networks abounding. At the same time, these powerful connections between people and, for those with faith, in terms of Spirit, make our world and our lives a richer place.
I am a follower of Christ and find Him in my heart--every day and especially today.
I love the traditions of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus) and appreciate the good that flows abundantly in all sorts of ways as people are inspired by the Christmas Spirit.
Christmas is a good time to reflect and to give thanks for all the blessings we experience on a daily basis. I am certainly thankful and look at all of the Christmases I have experienced so far as a series of blessings in my life.
I feel especially blessed to be able to share it with family and friends.
Merry Christmas!!
Christmas is an important tradition in my family, from the spiritual focus of the holy event celebrated by Christians around the world to the family traditions of gathering together in loving, piece, joy, and sharing.
Both Mom and Dad had important memories of Christmas in their family and we brought it into our family, too. As a child, I remember having Caroling parties at my home for my friends, the awe inspiring activities in the church, especially the midnight services, the Christmas tree, and, above all, the sense of togetherness and love.
Tied closely to the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas follows the longest night in the year. In cold climates, under clear conditions (different from what would have been experienced in Bethlehem at the actual birth of Jesus Christ) the stars appear closer to the earth and there is a stillness and peace that we can be aware of. It's cold outside and we appreciate the warmth of being together in front of a blazing fire in a hearth.
Our modern society seems to move at an ever increasing pace, with Internet and social networks abounding. At the same time, these powerful connections between people and, for those with faith, in terms of Spirit, make our world and our lives a richer place.
I am a follower of Christ and find Him in my heart--every day and especially today.
I love the traditions of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus) and appreciate the good that flows abundantly in all sorts of ways as people are inspired by the Christmas Spirit.
Christmas is a good time to reflect and to give thanks for all the blessings we experience on a daily basis. I am certainly thankful and look at all of the Christmases I have experienced so far as a series of blessings in my life.
I feel especially blessed to be able to share it with family and friends.
Merry Christmas!!
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